Centrifugal separation piston and centrifuge device including the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a centrifuge piston and a centrifuge device including the same. The centrifuge piston according to one embodiment includes a piston body including an internal body surface, a valve including an external valve surface and a recessed portion, and an internal sealing portion located in the recessed portion and configured to contact the internal body surface and space the external valve surface from the internal body surface to seal between the internal body surface and the external valve surface during centrifugation. In one embodiment, the centrifuge piston further includes a first fixing portion located on the internal body surface and configured to limit movement of the valve toward a second opening.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a centrifuge piston and a centrifuge device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Since the adipose tissue obtained from a living body by suction and incision contains a mixture of impurities (e.g., oil), techniques have been developed to remove impurities from the adipose tissue obtained from a living body in order to obtain a pure fat mass. For example, Published Patent Application No. 10-2015-0122102 discloses a piston for a syringe for liposuction and transplantation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a centrifugation piston and a centrifuge device including the same for removing impurities from adipose tissue obtained from a living body to obtain a pure fat mass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one embodiment, a centrifuge piston includes a piston body having an external body surface and an internal body surface, the piston body including a hollow portion defined by the internal body surface, the piston body including a first opening located on the external body surface, a second opening defined by at least a portion of the external body surface and connected to the internal body surface and the hollow portion, and a first passage connecting the first opening and the hollow portion; and a valve configured to open or block the first passage and located in the hollow portion so as to be spaced from the internal body surface, the valve having the external valve surface defining a second passage between the internal body surface and the external valve surface, the second passage being fluidly connected to the first passage and the second opening, the valve including a recessed portion formed in the external valve surface, and a first internal sealing portion located in the recessed portion and configured to contact the internal body surface to space the external valve surface from the internal body surface, the first internal sealing portion configured to seal between the internal body surface and the external valve surface during centrifugation.

[0005] In one embodiment, the piston may further include a first fastener located on the inner body surface and configured to limit movement of the valve toward the second opening.

[0006] In one embodiment, the valve includes a first valve body part including the recessed portion and a second valve body part coupled to the first valve body part, and the first fixing part can include a base part located on the inner body surface and a protruding part protruding from the base part and configured to contact the first valve body part.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first valve body portion and the protruding portion may contact such that the gap size between the inner body surface and the outer valve surface is between 5 μm and 150 μm.

[0008] In one embodiment, the internal body surface includes a first internal body surface and a second internal body surface recessed from the first internal body surface and forming a first step with the first internal body surface, and the first fixing portion can be located on the second internal body surface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the piston may further include a second internal sealing portion located on the internal body surface and including a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion, and a first fixing portion located on the internal body surface and configured to support the first portion of the second internal sealing portion to fix the second internal sealing portion to the internal body surface.

[0010] In one embodiment, the piston may further include a second fixing portion located on the inner body surface and configured to support a second portion of the second internal sealing portion and fix the second internal sealing portion to the inner body surface.

[0011] In one embodiment, the piston body may include a first engagement portion, and the second fixing portion may include a second engagement portion configured to engage with the first engagement portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second fastening portion may include a fastening portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, a centrifuge device has a rotation axis, and the centrifuge device is configured to rotate about the rotation axis, the syringe including a container capable of holding biological tissue, and a centrifugation piston movably positioned inside the container, the piston being a piston body having an exterior body surface and an interior body surface, the piston body including a hollow portion defined by the interior body surface, the piston body having a first opening located on the exterior body surface, a second opening defined by at least a portion of the exterior body surface and connected to the interior body surface and the hollow portion, and a second opening connecting the first opening and the hollow portion. a valve configured to open or block the first passage and located in the hollow portion spaced from the internal body surface, the valve having an external valve face defining a second passage between the internal body surface and an external valve face, the second passage being fluidly connected to the first passage and the second opening, the valve including a recessed portion formed in the external valve face, and a first internal sealing portion located in the recessed portion, contacting the internal body surface and configured to space the external valve face from the internal body surface, the first internal sealing portion configured to seal between the internal body surface and the external valve face during centrifugation.

[0014] In one embodiment, the piston further includes a second internal sealing portion located on the internal body surface and including a first portion and a second portion opposite to the first portion, a first fixing portion located on the internal body surface and configured to support the first portion of the second internal sealing portion and fix the second internal sealing portion to the internal body surface, a second fixing portion located on the internal body surface and configured to support the second portion of the second internal sealing portion and fix the second internal sealing portion to the internal body surface, and a plunger configured to be fastened to the second fixing portion, and the second internal sealing portion may be configured to contact the plunger to seal between the internal body surface and the plunger. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The centrifugal piston according to an embodiment and the centrifugal separator including the same can provide an improved seal between the space in front of the piston and the space behind the piston during centrifugation of the adipose tissue obtained from a living body. The effects of the centrifugal piston according to an embodiment and the centrifugal separator including the same are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] Aspects, features, and advantages of particular embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a centrifuge device according to an embodiment.

[0018] [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifuge device according to an embodiment.

[0019] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a centrifuge piston according to one embodiment.

[0020] [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of a centrifuge piston according to one embodiment.

[0021] [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a centrifugal separator piston according to one embodiment.

[0022] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a piston body according to one embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 8A]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first fixing part according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 8B] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first fixing part according to one embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal separation piston in a first state according to one embodiment.

[0027] [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal separation piston in a second state according to one embodiment.

[0028] [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separation piston in a third state according to the embodiment.

[0029] [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifuge piston and plunger according to one embodiment.

[0030] [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of a centrifuge device according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of a centrifuge device according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of a centrifuge device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various modifications may be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by such embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the patent.

[0032] The terms used in the examples are merely used for the purpose of explanation and are not to be construed as being limiting. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "include" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Commonly used predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as ideal or overly formal unless expressly defined in this specification.

[0034] In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted. In the description of the embodiments, if a detailed description of related prior art is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] In addition, in describing components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are used to distinguish the components from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. When a component is referred to as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component is directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that additional components may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

[0036] Components having functions common to those of any of the embodiments will be described using the same names in the other embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the description of any of the embodiments will be applied to the other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent that they overlap.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a centrifuge device according to one embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, the centrifuge device 100 can remove impurities (e.g., oil, blood, drug solutions, and other impurities) from biological tissue (e.g., adipose tissue) obtained from a living body (e.g., a human) in a centrifugation environment to obtain pure adipose tissue. The centrifuge device 100 includes a substantially flat base 101, a plurality of cavities 102 arranged in a circumferential direction around the base 101, a plurality of hinges 103 rotatably connected to the base 101, a plurality of holders 105 connected to each of the plurality of hinges 103 and arranged around a rotation axis X, and at least one syringe 104 located in at least one of the plurality of holders 105. The base 101 may include a rotation axis X located substantially at the center of the base 101. Each of the plurality of holders 105 may swing in and out of the corresponding cavity 102 by the corresponding hinge 103. The plurality of holders 105 can rotate around the rotation axis X together with the base 101.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifuge device according to one embodiment.

[0040] 2, the centrifuge device 100 includes a syringe 104 configured to rotate about a rotation axis X in a centrifuge environment. The syringe 104 includes a cylindrical container 1041 capable of holding a biological tissue BM, a connector 1042 configured to pass and remove at least one first substance (e.g., blood, a medical solution, water, and other substances having a relatively high specific gravity compared to pure fat mass) at a first end (e.g., a front end in FIG. 2) of the container 1041, and a flange 1043 configured to pass and remove at a second end (e.g., a rear end in FIG. 2) opposite the first end of the container 1041. The connector 1042 includes a fastening portion 1042A configured to be coupled to an external removal device (not shown), and an outlet and injection passage 1042B through which the first substance passes. The second end of the container 1041 on which the flange 1043 is formed may be open to the outside of the syringe 104. The biological tissue BM obtained from a living body is placed inside the container 1041 via the discharge and injection passage 1042B, and the piston 106 is placed on the biological tissue BM (e.g., on the right side in FIG. 2). During use, the piston 106 pressurizes the biological tissue BM, and at least one or more second substances (e.g., oil and other substances having a relatively small specific gravity compared to pure adipose tissue) separated from the biological tissue BM can be discharged toward the second end of the container 1041 through the inside of the piston 106 without centrifugal force.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifuge device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a centrifuge piston according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of a centrifuge piston according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a centrifuge piston according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a piston body according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a valve according to an embodiment. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a first fixing part according to an embodiment. FIG. 8B is a plan view of the first fixing part according to an embodiment.

[0042] 2 to 7, 8A and 8B, the centrifugation piston 106 includes a piston body 110, a first external sealing portion 121, a second external sealing portion 122, a valve 130, a first internal sealing portion 140, a second internal sealing portion 150, a first fixing portion 160, and a second fixing portion 170.

[0043] The piston body 110 is configured to move within the container 1041. For example, the piston body 110 is configured to move in a direction away from the rotation axis X within a centrifugation environment, and can pressurize the biological tissue BM obtained from a living body.

[0044] The piston body 110 has an outer body surface 111 and an inner body surface 114 and includes a hollow portion 113 defined by the inner body surface 114 .

[0045] The exterior body surface 111 includes a front body surface 111A that substantially forms the front of the piston body 110, a side body surface 111B that substantially forms the sides of the piston body 110, and a rear body surface 111C that substantially forms at least a portion of the rear of the piston body 110. The front body surface 111A, the side body surface 111B, and the rear body surface 111C may be seamlessly formed together.

[0046] The front body surface 111A includes a first front body surface 111A-1 and a second front body surface 111A-2 inclined with respect to the first front body surface 111A-1 and the side body surface 111B, respectively. The first front body surface 111A-1 can, for example, when the piston 106 is located in a portion of the container 1041 adjacent to the connector 1042 (for example, the front portion, the left portion in FIG. 2), pressurize the space between the connector 1042 and the piston 106, and facilitate discharging substances (for example, air, blood, medicinal liquid, and water) that may be present in the space through the discharge and injection passages 1042B. The first front body surface 111A-1 and the second front body surface 111A-2 can, for example, when the piston 106 is in a centrifuge environment, compress substances in front of the piston 106 and guide the substances when the piston 106 moves to the front of the syringe 104. The first front body surface 111A-1 and the second front body surface 111A-2 may form a substantially frusto-conical shape.

[0047] The piston body 110 includes a first opening 115 that allows material on the front body surface 111A to flow into the hollow portion 113. The first opening 115 may be formed in, for example, the second front body surface 111A-2.

[0048] The piston body 110 includes a first passageway P1 that fluidly connects the first opening 115 and the hollow portion 113. The first passageway P1 may extend in a radial direction of the piston body 110, which may have, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0049] The side body surface 111B may face an interior wall of the container 1041. The piston body 110 may include an external recess 112 formed in the side body surface 111B. For example, the external recess 112 may include a first external recess 112A formed in a first portion of the side body surface 111B and a second external recess 112B formed in a second portion of the side body surface 111B that is different from the first portion.

[0050] The rear body surface 111C defines a second opening 116 that is fluidly connected to the hollow portion 113 and the exterior of the piston body 110. The second opening 116 allows material within the hollow portion 113 to flow out to the exterior of the piston body 110. The size of the second opening 116 is larger than the size of the first opening 115.

[0051] The inner body surface 114 includes a first inner body surface 114A, a second inner body surface 114B, a third inner body surface 114C, a fourth inner body surface 114D, and a fifth inner body surface 114E.

[0052] The first internal body surface 114A, the second internal body surface 114B, and the third internal body surface 114C are substantially parallel to the side body surface 111B. The first internal body surface 114A, the second internal body surface 114B, and the third internal body surface 114C may be arranged sequentially in a direction toward the second opening 116. The first internal body surface 114A, the second internal body surface 114B, the third internal body surface 114C, the fourth internal body surface 114D, and the fifth internal body surface 114E may be seamlessly formed together.

[0053] A first step S1 is formed between the first internal body surface 114A and the second internal body surface 114B. For example, the second internal body surface 114B may be recessed from the first internal body surface 114A. For example, the first internal body surface 114A may be formed to protrude from the second internal body surface 114B. In one embodiment, the second internal body surface 114B may be formed to protrude from the first internal body surface 114A. In one embodiment, the first internal body surface 114A and the second internal body surface 114B may be seamlessly formed together substantially without the first step S1.

[0054] A second step S2 is formed between the second internal body surface 114B and the third internal body surface 114C. For example, the third internal body surface 114C may be formed to be recessed from the second internal body surface 114B. For example, the second internal body surface 114B may be formed to protrude from the third internal body surface 114C. In one embodiment, the third internal body surface 114C may be formed to protrude from the second internal body surface 114B. In one embodiment, the second internal body surface 114B and the third internal body surface 114C may be seamlessly formed together substantially without the second step S2.

[0055] The fourth internal body surface 114D is substantially parallel to the second front body surface 111A-2. The fourth internal body surface 114D may be formed to be inclined relative to the first internal body surface 114A and the fifth internal body surface 114E. The fifth internal body surface 114E is substantially parallel to the first front body surface 111A-1. The fifth internal body surface 114E may be formed to be recessed relative to the fourth internal body surface 114D.

[0056] The piston body 110 includes a first engagement portion 117. The first engagement portion 117 can at least partially engage with the second fixing portion 170. The first engagement portion 117 may be formed on the side body surface 111B. The first engagement portion 117 may include a slot. In one embodiment, the first engagement portion 117 may include a protrusion.

[0057] The first external sealing portion 121 and the second external sealing portion 122 provide a seal between the piston body 110 and the container 1041. The first external sealing portion 121 and the second external sealing portion 122 may each be annular. The first external sealing portion 121 is located in the first external recess 112A, and the second external sealing portion 122 is disposed in the second external recess 112B.

[0058] The valve 130 can allow or block the flow of at least one substance between a space in front of the piston body 110 and a space behind the piston body 110. For example, the valve 130 can move relative to the piston body 110 in a direction away from the axis of rotation X in a centrifuge environment to block a fluid passageway formed between the space in front of the piston body 110 and the space behind the piston body 110. For example, the valve 130 can move relative to the piston body 110 toward the flange 1043 and toward the rear of the container 1041 to open the fluid passage formed between the space in front of the piston body 110 and the space behind the piston body 110 in an environment where no centrifugal force acts on the valve 130 or where the centrifugal force acting on the valve 130 is smaller than the sum of different forces (e.g., gravity, friction, pressure in the space in front of the piston 106 generated by pushing the piston 106 with the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12 without blocking the fluid passage, and / or pressure in the space in front of the piston 106 generated by pushing the piston 106 with the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12 with the user's hand without blocking the fluid passage). The weight of the valve 130 may be substantially the same as or greater than the weight of the piston body 110.

[0059] The valve 130 includes a first valve body portion 131 that substantially forms a front portion of the valve 130, and a second valve body portion 132 that substantially forms a rear portion of the valve 130. The first valve body portion 131 includes a first external valve face 133A, a second external valve face 133B, a third external valve face 133C, and a fourth external valve face 133D. The second valve body portion 132 includes a fifth external valve face 134A and a sixth external valve face 134B. The first external valve face 133A, the second external valve face 133B, the third external valve face 133C, the fourth external valve face 133D, the fifth external valve face 134A, and the sixth external valve face 134B form the external valve face 133 of the valve 130.

[0060] The first external valve face 133A substantially forms at least a part of the front portion of the first valve body portion 131. The first external valve face 133A substantially faces the fourth internal body face 114D. The first external valve face 133A may be at least partially disposed in a recess on the fourth internal body face 114D that is recessed in the fifth internal body face 114E, for example. The second external valve face 133B may substantially form at least a part of the front portion of the first valve body portion 131. The second external valve face 133B may be formed to be inclined with respect to the first external valve face 133A and the third external valve face 133C. The second external valve face 133B substantially faces the fifth internal body face 114E. The third external valve face 133C may substantially form a side portion of the first valve body portion 131. The third external valve surface 133C may substantially face the first internal body surface 114A, the second internal body surface 114B and / or the third internal body surface 114C. The fourth external valve surface 133D may substantially form at least a portion of the rear portion of the first valve body portion 131. The fourth external valve surface 133D may be formed between the third external valve surface 133C and the fifth external valve surface 134A.

[0061] The fifth external valve face 134A may substantially form a side portion of the second valve body portion 132. The fifth external valve face 134A may substantially face the first internal body face 114A, the second internal body face 114B, and / or the third internal body face 114C. The sixth external valve face 134B may substantially form a rear portion of the second valve body portion 132.

[0062] The first external valve surface 133A, the fourth external valve surface 133D, and the sixth external valve surface 134B are substantially parallel to one another. The third external valve surface 133C and the fifth external valve surface 134A are substantially parallel to one another.

[0063] The first external valve surface 133A and the second external valve surface 133B may be seamlessly formed together. The second external valve surface 133B and the third external valve surface 133C may be discontinuously formed with respect to each other. The third external valve surface 133C and the fourth external valve surface 133D may be seamlessly formed together. The fourth external valve surface 133D, the fifth external valve surface 134A, and the sixth external valve surface 134B may be seamlessly formed together. In one embodiment, the first external valve surface 133A, the second external valve surface 133B, the third external valve surface 133C, the fourth external valve surface 133D, the fifth external valve surface 134A, and the sixth external valve surface 134B may be seamlessly formed together.

[0064] Valve 130 includes a recessed portion 135 formed in first valve body portion 131. Recessed portion 135 may be formed, for example, between second external valve face 133B and third external valve face 133C.

[0065] The first internal sealing portion 140 may be configured to seal between the piston body 110 and the first valve body portion 131. The first internal sealing portion 140 is at least partially disposed in the recessed portion 135. The first internal sealing portion 140 may, for example, seal between the fourth internal body portion 114E and the second external valve face 133B or between the fourth internal body portion 114E and the third external valve face 133C. The first internal sealing portion 140 may be substantially annular.

[0066] When the valve 130 is subjected to centrifugal force in a centrifugation environment and moves relative to the piston body 110 in a direction away from the rotation axis X, and the first external valve face 133A and the second external valve face 133B substantially face the fourth internal body face 114D and the fifth internal body face 114E, respectively (e.g., see FIG. 9 ), the first internal sealing portion 140 can be configured to seal between the piston body 110 and the valve 130 while keeping the second external valve face 133B and the fifth internal body face 114E spaced apart from each other and with a gap (e.g., gap G shown in FIG. 9 ) substantially present between the second external valve face 133B and the fifth internal body face 114E. The first internal sealing portion 140 can substantially prevent or reduce leakage that may occur, for example, in a structure without the first internal sealing portion 140, because the internal body surface 114 (e.g., the fifth internal body surface 114E) of the piston body 110 and / or the external valve surface (e.g., the second external valve surface 133B) of the valve 130 do not substantially contact each other due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0067] The second internal sealing portion 150 is configured to seal between the piston body 110 and a plunger (e.g., plunger 107 in FIG. 12). The second internal sealing portion 150 may contact an exterior surface of at least a portion of the plunger (e.g., plunger 107 in FIG. 12). The second internal sealing portion 150 may be disposed on the second internal body surface 114B. The second internal sealing portion 150 may be substantially annular.

[0068] The first fixing part 160 can fix the second internal sealing part 150 to the second internal body surface 114B. The first fixing part 160 may be disposed on the second internal body surface 114B. As an example not shown, the first fixing part 160 has a structure formed such that the third internal body surface 114C protrudes from the second internal body surface 114B, and can fix the second internal sealing part 150 to the second internal body surface 114B such that the second internal sealing part 150 is supported against the second step S2.

[0069] The first fixing portion 160 restricts the movement of the valve 130. For example, in an environment where no centrifugal force acts on the valve 130 or where the centrifugal force acting on the valve 130 is smaller than a different force (e.g., gravity, friction, pressure in a space in front of the piston 106 generated by pushing the piston 106 without blocking the fluid passage using the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12, and / or pressure in a space in front of the piston 106 generated by pushing the piston 106 with a user's hand without blocking the fluid passage using the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12), the valve 130 moves toward the second opening 116 relative to the piston body 110, and the first fixing portion 160 can prevent the valve 130 from being separated from the hollow portion 113 so that the valve 130 is located within the hollow portion 113.

[0070] The first fixing part 160 includes a first base part 161 and a protruding part 162 protruding from the first base part 161. The first base part 161 is located on the second inner body surface 114B. The first base part 161 can be supported against the first step S1. The first base part 161 can support the first part 151 (e.g., the left part in FIG. 5 ) of the second inner sealing part 150. The protruding part 162 is configured to contact a part of the first valve body part 131 (e.g., the fourth outer valve surface 133D). The first base part 161 and the protruding part 162 may form a substantially annular structure of the first fixing part 160.

[0071] The protruding portion 162 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the first base portion 161. The protruding portion 162 may be formed at least partially along the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the first base portion 161. The protruding portion 162 extends along the inner circumferential surface of the first base portion 161 to form an inflow / outflow opening 163. The inflow / outflow opening 163 may allow the inflow and outflow of a substance through the inflow / outflow opening 163, for example, when one surface of the valve 130 (e.g., the sixth outer valve surface 134B) contacts the protruding portion 162.

[0072] The second fixing portion 170 can fix the second internal sealing portion 150 to the second internal body surface 114B. The second fixing portion 170 may be disposed on the third internal body surface 114C. The second fixing portion 170 can fix the second internal sealing portion 150 to the second internal body surface 114B such that the second internal sealing portion 150 is supported by the first fixing portion 160. As an example not shown, the second fixing portion 170 may fix the second internal sealing portion 150 to the second internal body surface 114B such that the second internal sealing portion 150 is supported by the first step S1. The second fixing portion 170 can fix the second internal sealing portion 150 in cooperation with the first fixing portion 160.

[0073] The second fastener 170 includes a second base portion 171 located on the third inner body surface 114C. The second base portion 171 supports the second portion 152 (e.g., the right portion in FIG. 5 ) of the second inner sealing portion 150. The second base portion 171 may form a substantially annular structure of the second fastener 170.

[0074] The second fastening portion 170 includes a first fastening portion 172 configured to fasten with an external fastening means (e.g., the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12). The first fastening portion 172 may be at least partially formed on an inner surface of the second base portion 171. The first fastening portion 172 may include, for example, a screw thread.

[0075] The second fixing portion 170 includes a second engagement portion 173. The second engagement portion 173 engages with at least a portion of the piston body 110 (e.g., the first engagement portion 117). The second engagement portion 173 may be at least partially formed on an outer surface of the second base portion 171. The second engagement portion 173 may include, for example, a protrusion.

[0076] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugation piston in a first state according to an embodiment, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugation piston in a second state according to an embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugation piston in a third state according to an embodiment.

[0077] 9 to 11, the centrifugation piston 106 may be moved from a first state (e.g., FIG. 9) in which communication between the first passage P1 and the second passage P2 is blocked to a second state (e.g., FIG. 10) in which communication between the first passage P1 and the second passage P2 is permitted. The centrifugation piston 106 may be moved from the first state (e.g., via the second state) to a third state (e.g., FIG. 11) in which the movement of the valve 130 is restricted. The centrifugation piston 106 may be moved from the third state to the second state. The centrifugation piston 106 may be moved from the second state to the first state. The centrifugation piston 106 may be moved from the third state to the first state.

[0078] In the first state of the piston 106, the centrifugal force acting on the valve 130 having a first weight in a centrifugation environment may be greater than the centrifugal force acting on the piston body 110 having a second weight less than the first weight. If the centrifugal force acting on the valve 130 in a centrifugation environment is greater than the sum of different forces acting on the valve 130 (e.g., gravity, friction, pressure in the space in front of the piston 106 generated by pushing the piston 106 with the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12 without blocking the fluid passage, and / or pressure in the space in front of the piston 106 generated by pushing the piston 106 with the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 12 with the user's hand without blocking the fluid passage), the valve 130 may move in a direction away from the second opening 116 relative to the piston body 110 (e.g., forward of the piston body 110). The first internal sealing portion 140 installed in the valve 130 can contact the internal body surface 114 of the piston body 110 and block the second passage P2 between the piston body 110 and the valve 130 (for example, in FIG. 10, the first sub-passage P21 between the fifth internal body surface 114E and the second external valve surface 133B). The first internal sealing portion 140 can separate at least a portion of the internal body surface 114 of the piston body 110 (for example, the fifth internal body surface 114E) and at least a portion of the external valve surface 133 of the valve 130 (for example, the second external valve surface 133B) and form a gap G therebetween.

[0079] In the second state of the piston 106, in a centrifugal environment or in an environment where no centrifugal force is acting, the valve 130 moves relative to the piston body 110 in a direction toward the second opening 116 (e.g., toward the rear of the piston body 110). The first internal seal 140 installed in the valve 130 releases contact with the internal body surface 114 of the piston body 110, and opens the second passage P2 between the piston body 110 and the valve 130 (e.g., the first sub-passage P21 between the fifth internal body surface 114E and the second external valve surface 133B in FIG. 10). At least one substance in front of the piston body 110 can enter the first passage P1 through the first opening (e.g., the first opening 115 in FIG. 3), flow through the first passage P1 and the second passage P2 (e.g., the first sub-passage P21 and the second sub-passage P22), and be discharged to the rear of the piston body 110 through the second opening 116.

[0080] In one embodiment, the centrifuge piston 106 changes state between a first state (e.g., FIG. 9) in which it blocks passages P1, P2 and a third state (e.g., FIG. 11) in which it restricts the movement of the valve 130, or between a second state (e.g., FIG. 10) in which it opens passages P1, P2 and a third state (e.g., FIG. 11) in which it restricts the movement of the valve 130.

[0081] In a second state of the piston 106, in a centrifuge ring environment or in an environment where no centrifugal force is acting, the valve 130 moves relative to the piston body 110 in a direction toward the second opening 116 (e.g., rearward of the piston body 110).

[0082] In the third state of the piston 106, the movement of the valve 130 is restricted by the first fixing portion 160 located on the internal body surface 114 of the piston body 110 (e.g., the second internal body surface 114B shown in FIG. 6). For example, among the first valve body portion 131 and the second valve body portion 132, at least a portion of the first valve body portion 131 (e.g., the fourth external valve surface 133D) may contact at least a portion of the first base portion 161 or at least a portion of the protruding portion 162. The first fixing portion 160 can be supported by the second internal sealing portion 150 and the second fixing portion 170 located on the internal body surface 114 of the piston body 110 (e.g., the second internal body surface 114B and the third internal body surface 114C), respectively.

[0083] In the third state of the piston 106, when the fourth external valve surface 133D of the first valve body portion 131 contacts the first base portion 161, the at least one substance flowing through the first sub-passage P21 is inhibited or delayed from moving to the second sub-passage P22.

[0084] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifuge piston and plunger according to one embodiment.

[0085] 2 and 12, the centrifuge device 100 includes a piston body 110, a first external sealing portion 121, a second external sealing portion 122, a valve 130, a first internal sealing portion 140, a second internal sealing portion 150, a first fixing portion 160, and a second fixing portion 170, and a plunger 107. The second fixing portion 170 includes a second base portion 171 and a first fastening portion 172.

[0086] The plunger 107 may be configured to couple with the piston 106. For example, after the plunger 107 couples with the piston 106, it can pressurize material (e.g., blood, medical fluids, and water) located in front of the piston 106 in the container 1041 to cause the material to be expelled from or enter the container 1041 via the exhaust and inlet passages 1042B of the connector 1042.

[0087] The plunger 107 includes a push rod 1071, a handle 1072 formed on a portion of the push rod 1071 (e.g., the end surface on the right side in FIG. 12), a second fastening portion 1073 formed on another portion of the push rod 1071 (e.g., the outer surface on the left side in FIG. 12) and configured to be fastened to the first fastening portion 172, and a seat 1074 extending in the radial direction of the push rod 1071 and facing a portion of the piston body 110 (e.g., the rear body surface 111C). Either one of the first fastening portion 1072 and the second fastening portion 1073 may include a male thread, and the other fastening portion may include a female thread.

[0088] 13 to 15 are diagrams illustrating an exemplary operation of the centrifugal separator according to one embodiment.

[0089] An exemplary operation of the centrifugal separator 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS.

[0090] 2, biological tissue BM obtained from a human body may flow in through an end portion where the front (e.g., connector 1042) of the container 1041 is located, and the piston 106 may be disposed behind the biological tissue BM. Although not shown, the discharge and injection passages 1042B of the connector 1042 are closed so that the biological tissue BM is not discharged to the outside of the container 1041. In the centrifugation environment, the syringe 104 and the piston 106 can rotate about a rotation axis X.

[0091] 13, during centrifugation, the biological tissue BM in front of the piston 106 may be separated into a plurality of material layers constituting the biological tissue BM according to the specific gravity of the material. For example, when viewed from the direction from the connector 1042 far from the rotation axis X toward the piston 106, the biological tissue BM may be separated into a first layer RL composed of at least one first material (e.g., blood, medicinal liquid, water) having a first specific gravity, a second layer FL composed of at least one second material (e.g., fatty tissue from which the first material and the third material have been removed) having a second specific gravity smaller than the first specific gravity, and a third layer OL composed of at least one third material (e.g., air, oil) having a third specific gravity smaller than the second specific gravity.

[0092] 14, the piston 106 and the plunger 107 may be coupled to each other. For example, a first fastening portion 172 of the second fixing portion 170 located on the inner body surface (e.g., the third inner body surface 114C shown in FIG. 6) of the piston body 110 and a second fastening portion 1073 formed on the push rod 1071 of the plunger 107 may be fastened to each other. When the plunger 107 and the second fastening portion 1073 are fastened to push the piston 106 by the plunger 107, at least one substance (e.g., a first substance) in front of the piston 106 is discharged to the outside of the container 1041 through the connector 1042, and a layer of the substance (e.g., a first layer RL shown in FIG. 13) is removed from within the container 1041.

[0093] 15, the piston 106 and the plunger (e.g., the plunger 107 shown in FIG. 14) may be decoupled. When the plunger is decoupled from the piston 106, the third layer OL of the third material (e.g., air, oil) located relatively close to the piston 106 is discharged to the rear of the piston 106 based on various methods. For example, when the syringe 104 and the piston 106 are placed in a centrifuge environment with a relatively low centrifugal acceleration (e.g., about 200 g) in a state in which the second layer FL of the second material (e.g., adipose tissue or adipose mass from which the first material and the third material have been removed) and the third layer OL of the third material are present in front of the piston 106, the pressure in front of the piston 106 generated by the centrifugal force moving the piston 106 becomes greater than the sealing force of the valve 130, and the third material of the third layer OL is discharged to the rear of the piston 106 through a passage (e.g., the first passage P1 and the second passage P2 shown in FIG. 10) formed in the piston 106.

[0094] Meanwhile, in the second state (e.g., FIG. 10) and the third state (e.g., FIG. 11), the size (e.g., gap) of the flow space of the first sub-passage P21 between the inner body surface (e.g., the fifth inner body surface 114E) of the piston body (e.g., the piston body 110 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, 8A and 8B) and the outer valve surface (e.g., the second outer valve surface 133B) of the valve (e.g., the valve 130 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, 8A and 8B) is smaller than the size of the second substance (e.g., adipose tissue) of the second layer FL in the front space of the piston 106. The size of the gap between the inner body surface (e.g., the fifth inner body surface 114E) of the piston body and the outer valve surface (e.g., the second outer valve surface 133B) of the valve is in the range of about 5 μm to about 150 μm. For example, a first fixing portion (e.g., first fixing portion 160 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, 8A, and 8B) restricts movement of a valve (e.g., valve 130 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, 8A, and 8B) to maintain the gap size range. If the flow space of the first sub-passage P21 is smaller than the size of the second material in the second layer FL and the first sub-passage P21 is opened, the second material in the second layer FL may be disposed in front of the piston 106 instead of being discharged to the rear of the piston 106 through a passage (e.g., first passage P1 and second passage P2 shown in FIG. 10) formed in the piston 106. In one embodiment, the gap size range may be substantially maintained by adjusting the mass of the valve 130 and / or the centrifugal force applied to the piston 106.

[0095] As a different example, an air pressure device may be connected to the rear of the container 1041 (e.g., flange 1043) and, with the passages (e.g., the first passage P1 and the second passage P2 shown in FIG. 10) formed in the piston 106 open, the third substance of the third layer OL in front of the piston 106 may be expelled to the rear of the piston 106 using the air pressure device.

[0096] In one embodiment, when the piston 106 is pushed forward in the syringe 104 without a plunger 107 and / or other manipulation tool coupled to the piston 106, the pressure in front of the piston 106 may increase to expel the third material of the third layer OL in front of the piston 106 behind the piston 106. After the third material is removed and the piston 106 is removed from the syringe 104, the second material of the second layer FL may be obtained.

[0097] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and a person having ordinary skill in the art may apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from that described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a form different from that described, or may be replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents to achieve appropriate results.

[0098] Accordingly, other implementations, embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A centrifuge piston, comprising: a piston body having an exterior body surface and an interior body surface, the piston body including a hollow portion defined by the interior body surface, the piston body including a first opening located in the exterior body surface, a second opening defined by at least a portion of the exterior body surface and connecting the interior body surface and the hollow portion, and a first passageway connecting the first opening and the hollow portion; a valve configured to open or block the first passageway and positioned in the hollow portion so as to be spaced from the inner body surface, the valve having an outer valve surface defining the first passageway and a second passageway fluidly connected to the second opening between the inner body surface and an outer valve surface, the valve including a recessed portion formed in the outer valve surface; a first internal seal located in the recess and configured to contact the internal body surface to space the external valve surface from the internal body surface and configured to seal between the internal body surface and the external valve surface during centrifugation; Including, the piston.

2. The piston of claim 1 , further comprising a first fastener located on the inner body surface and configured to limit movement of the valve toward the second opening.

3. The valve is a first valve body portion including the recessed portion; a second valve body portion coupled to the first valve body portion; Including, The first fixing portion is a base portion located on the inner body surface; a protruding portion protruding from the base portion and configured to contact the first valve body portion; The piston of claim 2 , comprising:

4. 4. The piston of claim 3, wherein the first valve body portion and the protruding portion contact such that a gap size between the inner body surface and the outer valve surface is between 5 μm and 150 μm.

5. The second passage is a first subpassage defined between the interior body surface and the first valve body portion; a second subpassage defined between the interior body surface and the second valve body portion; Including, The piston of claim 3 , wherein the valve contacts the first stationary portion and is configured to inhibit or delay movement of at least one substance from the first sub-passage to the second sub-passage.

6. 3. The piston of claim 2, wherein the inner body surface includes a first inner body surface and a second inner body surface recessed from the first inner body surface and forming a first step with the first inner body surface, and the first fastening portion is located on the second inner body surface.

7. a second internal seal portion located on the internal body surface and including a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion; a first fastening portion located on the inner body surface and configured to support a first portion of the second inner sealing portion to fasten the second inner sealing portion to the inner body surface; The piston of claim 1 further comprising:

8. 8. The piston of claim 7, further comprising a second fastener located on the inner body surface and configured to support a second portion of the second internal sealing portion and fasten the second internal sealing portion to the inner body surface.

9. The piston body includes a first engagement portion, The piston of claim 8 , wherein the second fixing portion includes a second engagement portion configured to engage with the first engagement portion.

10. The piston of claim 8 , wherein the second fixed portion comprises a fastening portion.

11. A centrifuge having a rotating shaft, a syringe configured to rotate about the axis of rotation, the syringe including a container capable of holding biological tissue; a centrifuge piston movably positioned within the container; Including, The piston is a piston body having an exterior body surface and an interior body surface, the piston body including a hollow portion defined by the interior body surface, the piston body including a first opening located in the exterior body surface, a second opening defined by at least a portion of the exterior body surface and connecting the interior body surface and the hollow portion, and a first passageway connecting the first opening and the hollow portion; a valve configured to open or block the first passageway and positioned in the hollow portion so as to be spaced from the inner body surface, the valve having an outer valve surface defining the first passageway and a second passageway fluidly connected to the second opening between the inner body surface and an outer valve surface, the valve including a recessed portion formed in the outer valve surface; a first internal seal located in the recessed portion and configured to contact the internal body surface and space the external valve surface from the internal body surface, and configured to seal between the internal body surface and the external valve surface during centrifugation; A centrifuge apparatus comprising:

12. The piston is a second internal seal portion located on the internal body surface and including a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion; a first fastening portion configured to be positioned on the inner body surface and support a first portion of the second inner sealing portion to fasten the second inner sealing portion to the inner body surface; a second fastening portion located on the inner body surface and configured to support a second portion of the second inner sealing portion and fasten the second inner sealing portion to the inner body surface; A plunger configured to be fastened to the second fixed portion; Further comprising:

12. The centrifuge device of claim 11, wherein the second internal seal is configured to contact the plunger to provide a seal between the internal body surface and the plunger.

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